Sefton Council Faces Urgent Questions on 5G and Cancer Risk

Watch: EM Radiation Research Trust Director Eileen O’Connor at Sefton Council Meetings

Eileen O’Connor is featured from 2:10 minutes into this video reading her question at last night’s Council meeting: Watch on YouTube

Earlier, in July 2025, Eileen also raised public health concerns about 5G infrastructure at Sefton Council: Watch July Meeting Video

Video coverage, including the July meeting, by BANAMAN (Watch Here) and Liverpool TPR, has already reached 18,000+ viewers, showing that people are closely following these important discussions.

Written Question: Public Health Statement – WHO Confirms Cancer Risk from RF Radiation

The EM Radiation Research Trust wishes to bring to the Council’s urgent attention the latest findings from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), published in Environmental Research (2025).

• This comprehensive systematic review concludes that radiofrequency (RF) radiation causes cancer in laboratory animals.
• The findings significantly strengthen IARC’s original 2011 classification of RF radiation as a Group 2B “possible human carcinogen.”
• Many leading scientists and doctors are now calling for reclassification as a Group 1 “known human carcinogen,” raising serious concerns about public exposure limits and the need for precaution in policy and planning decisions.

Reference: Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on cancer in laboratory animal studies – a systematic review, Environmental Research, 2025

Key Question:

How will Sefton Council take this new scientific evidence into account when approving planning applications for phone masts and 5G infrastructure, especially near vulnerable groups such as people living with cancer, cancer survivors, children, and residents in schools, care homes, hospitals, or private homes. In light of this emerging scientific evidence, will the Council review and update its planning policies to better protect public health?

Eileen O’Connor, Charity Director, EM Radiation Research Trust

Supplementary Question Delivered Verbally by Eileen O’Connor at the Council Meeting

The WHO/IARC 2025 systematic review, commissioned and peer-reviewed by the World Health Organization, confirms that RF radiation causes cancer in laboratory animals. This is a rigorous, gold-standard review assessing all relevant evidence with full transparency.

• The existing IARC Group 2B classification already recognises RF radiation as possibly causing cancer in humans, and many leading scientists are calling for urgent reclassification to Group 1 (known human carcinogen).

Councillors, given your public legal duties under the European Electronic Communications Code, the Equality Act 2010, and the precautionary principle, and in light of legal precedents (Thomas v Cheltenham Borough Council, 2024/25; Yasmin Skelt v First Secretary of State & Three Bridges District Council, 2003) which confirm that ICNIRP compliance cannot automatically dismiss health concerns my question is this:

Will you ensure that NO new phone masts or antennas are approved near schools, care homes, hospitals, or residents’ homes unless planning policies, risk assessments, and precautionary measures fully reflect this evidence, and will you acknowledge that failing to act could leave you personally and politically accountable?

Despite submitting detailed questions and highlighting the latest WHO/IARC 2025 findings confirming that RF radiation causes cancer in laboratory animals, the Council responded that they had answered our questions and would continue their current approach until directed otherwise.

The EM Radiation Research Trust continues to urge Sefton Council to take urgent precautionary action in light of this evidence, especially regarding vulnerable residents such as children, cancer patients, and those living or working near 5G infrastructure.

📄 Read the full letter sent to Sefton Council: Radiation Research Trust Letter

We also wish to thank the Sefton Residents Association and Liverpool TPR for their continued dedication and support attending council meetings and demanding protection for the community.

The EM Radiation Research Trust will be following up with another letter to Sefton Council highlighting their failures, deflection, and even ignoring some of the concerns raised.

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